Across South Carolina

COLUMBIA - Some activists are angry that legislators plan to include a group that opposes gay marriage on a panel studying whether unmarried couples should be allowed to adopt children.

The Palmetto Family Council is the only private group so far given a position on a committee studying a bill before the state Senate that would bar unmarried couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents.

The conservative Christian interest group advocates for traditional families.

The original bill prohibited gay or unmarried couples from adopting or becoming foster parents, but a provision was added requiring a two-year study by a selected committee on the issue.

Young man is found shot dead in street

CHARLESTON - Police are investigating the shooting of a man found dead at a street intersection Sunday night.

A man in his 20s was found dead after 10 p.m. by officers responding to a call about shots in the area.

The man's name was withheld pending notification of relatives.

Shrimpers want their catch in restaurants

MOUNT PLEASANT - South Carolina shrimpers want support from people who dine in area restaurants.

Shrimpers are launching a marketing campaign to convince people that local shrimp is superior to imports. They also want people to demand local shrimp from Charleston-area restaurants.

Shrimp prices have dropped from about $6 a pound in 2000 to about $3 a pound this year.

Health care centers join in fund raising

COLUMBIA - Four of the largest health institutions in South Carolina are working together to improve care and spur economic activity.

The Medical University of South Carolina, the Greenville Hospital System, the University of South Carolina and Palmetto Health have each agreed to raise $2 million a year for 10 years and draw matching state lottery funds from the Endowed Chairs program for a total of $160 million.

The institutions want to use the money to fund research and bring more clinical trials into hospitals, giving patients across the state access to new treatments.